Agro2Circular – Territorial Circular Systemic Solution for the Upcycling of Residues from the Agrifood Sector
Updated on 08.02.2024
Multilayer plastic films are widely used as industrial packaging for the protection of fruit and vegetables. Despite their tremendous benefits in the storage, transport and preservation of food, associated environmental concerns are growing. More than half of plastic waste created in Europe comes from packaging. In this context, the Agro2Circular project will develop the first recycling value chain for post-industrial multilayer films based on a synergistic approach. It will combine innovative sorting, physical delamination, enzymatic depolymerisation, decontamination and mechanical recycling. A2C is also tackling the upcycling of fruit and vegetable waste through advanced extraction techniques. To address a lack of digitalisation in the agri-food sector, the project will employ a Data Integration System as a digital tool to ensure traceability and as a predictive decision tool.
Leading organisation
Asociacion Empresarial De Investigacion Centro Tecnologico Del Calzado Y Del Plastico De La Region De Murcia, Spain
Regions involved
Region of Murcia
Territorial clusters involved
Fundación Cluster Agroalimentario de la Región de Murcia
Scope and objectives
Agro2Circular (A2C) focuses on the implementation of the first territorial system solution for upcycling the main residues in the agri-food sector (fruits & vegetables and plastic multilayers) into high added value products, supported by a digital tool and based on a systemic approach with high replicable/scalable potential. With this solution, A2C will address key industrial, economic and social challenges in the agri-food sector:
- Fruits and vegetables are a major group contributing to food waste along the food supply chain, accounting for more than 40 % of waste. They are an excellent source of natural bio-actives. However, this waste is not recycled. A2C will valorise them through green pathways to recover these bio-actives for the production of nutraceuticals, functional foods and cosmetics.
- Multilayer plastic film is widely used as industrial packaging to protect food and agricultural crops due to their unique barrier properties. However, there is a lack of sorting and recycling technologies for economic and environmentally sustainable recovery of these multi-layer structures. A2C will develop the first recycling value chain for post-industrial multilayer films based on a synergistic approach combining innovative sorting, physical delamination, enzymatic depolymerisation, decontamination and mechanical recycling.
- The agri-food sector is not yet sufficiently digitised. A2C will implement a Data Integration System (DIS) as a digital tool to ensure traceability and as a predictive decision-making tool in the agri-food sector.
A2C will be demonstrated in the Region of Murcia (Spain) and aims to provide a system solution for the territorial implementation of the circular economy (CE) that can be replicated across Europe.
Key deliverables
- D6.2 A2C Data Integration System
- D6.3 A2C Demonstrators
- D6.4 Basis for future industrial implementation
- D6.6 Natural capital assessment of demonstrated solutions
- D7.3 Public Engagement Strategy & Summary of Activities and Results
- D7.4 Community based innovation schemes
- D7.5 Evaluation framework and methodology
- D7.7 Environmental assessment, LCA and A2C circularity monitoring
- D7.9 Socioeconomic and sociocultural analysis report
- D7.10 A2C systemic solution model and self-assessment tool
- D7.11 A2C Circular Action Plan report
- D7.13 Policy Briefs
- D7.15 Financing recommendations
- D7.16 Report on potential for adoption and scale-up potential
- D7.17 Lombardy Action Plan
- D7.18 Lithuania NUTS-2 Action Plan
- D8.7 Toolkit of guidelines and training materials
Description of future collaboration with CCRI-CSO
- Input, support and in particular knowledge provision to Thematic Working Groups of the CCRI-CSO
- Work Package of applications to other regions as key delivery for the CCRI-CSO for the support of Pilots
- Participation to CCRI webinars and technical workshops
- Exchanges related to cluster activities of Green Deal Call on CE projects
Main project stakeholders
Citizens, industries, decision makers, academia
Participants
- Green World Compounding SL, Spain
- Saperatec GmbH, Germany
- Iris Technology Solutions Sociedad Limitada, Spain
- Universität Für Bodenkultur Wien, Austria
- Mellizyme Biotechnology Limited, United Kingdom
- Cetec Biotechnology SL, Spain
- Universita' Degli Studi Di Milano-Bicocca, Italy
- Universidad De Alicante, Spain
- Stichting Wetsus, European Centre Of Excellence For Sustainable Water Technology, Netherlands
- Regenera Levante Sl, Spain
- Stichting Centre Of Expertise Watertechnologie, Netherlands
- Asociacion Empresarial De Investigacion Centro Tecnologico Nacional De La Conserva, Spain
- Agrotransformados SA, Spain
- Laboratorios Almond SL, Spain
- Asociacion De Organizaciones De Productores De Frutas Y Hortalizas De La Region De Murcia, Spain
- DMC Research Center SL, Spain
- Citromil SL, Spain
- Mks Instruments Italy, Italy
- Stazione Sperimentale Per L'industria Delle Conserve Alimentari Azienda Speciale, Italy
- Senior Europa Sociedad Limitada, Spain
- Universitat De Valencia, Spain
- Fundacion Cajamar, Spain
- Region De Murcia, Spain
- Asociacion Espanola De Normalizacion, Spain
- Fundacion Cluster Agroalimentario De La Region De Murcia, Spain
- European Association of Development Agencies, Belgium
- Universita Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Italy
- Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy, Finland
- Fondazione Icons, Italy
- Fundacion Primafrio, Spain
- Instituto De Fomento De La Region De Murcia, Spain
- Ecotrace Plastic SL, Spain
- Equmetrics SL, Spain
- Exus Software Monoprosopi Etairia Periorismenis Evthinis, Greece
- Evrythng Sarl, Switzerland
- Solplast SA, Spain
- Eversia SA, Spain
- Tribu Bio & Wild SL, Spain
- Tecnoalimenti SCpA, Italy
- Lietuvos Pramonininku Konfederacija, Lithuania
